ukathleticscoach wrote: Why did you ever compete?
I ran in high school because I was good enough to win most of the races I entered, excluding the state meet. I continued to run in college because I'd earned a scholarship and wanted to keep it.
That said, I learned throughout my college career that I was destined to become an also-ran (no pun intended). I had a couple opportunities to run with developmental clubs, but the writing was on the wall. Running for fun and enjoyment is one thing, but why continue killing yourself and making sacrifices if you simply don't have the stuff to be the best?
If Sara Hall can get paid to be a career mid-packer who occasionally places in a national race, more power to her. With that in mind, I'm willing to retract my judgment while maintaining my basic question.